Figuren, mogelijk te midden van bouwmateriaal 1886 - 1908

This sketch was made by George Hendrik Breitner, using charcoal on paper. Charcoal is a very direct medium, allowing for quick marks, erasures, and reworking. The very act of drawing is itself a process of construction, similar to the work being undertaken in the scene depicted. We see marks that denote scaffolding, beams, and figures amidst the industrialization of Amsterdam. Breitner's choice of charcoal, a readily available material, aligns with his subject matter. This medium allowed him to capture a fleeting moment in the ever-changing urban landscape, with lines that embody movement and the gritty atmosphere of a construction site. The use of this material emphasizes the real, physical labor involved in building a city. By focusing on the materials and the making process, we can understand how Breitner elevated the everyday into art, challenging the traditional hierarchy between the fine arts and the realities of labor and industry.